|
Chip's Clips
Newsletter from Rep. Chip Shields - District 43 - N/NE Portland
Greetings!
Times are incredibly tough in N/NE
Portland and throughout the state. We may well
be experiencing the worst recession since the Great
Depression, and I want you to know that the Oregon
House Democrats are moving quickly to advance our
agenda on living-wage jobs, health care, schools and
equality.
Protecting K-12 funding is my top budgetary priority,
and I want to hear
from you to help shape our N/NE Portland agenda. I
am
truly
honored to serve North and Northeast
Portland in the Oregon House of Representatives.
If I can ever be of service, please don't
hesitate to contact me at 503-986-1443 or by e-mail at
rep.chipshields@state.or.us.
Sincerely,
Rep. Chip Shields
Oregon Stimulus Bills Pass
Putting well over 3,000 Oregonians to Work
Last Thursday we passed the first of several job
stimulus and investment packages. The package,
which funds critical deferred maintenance and
construction projects, was immediately signed by the
Governor. Estimates are that it will create at least
3,000 jobs.
Portland Community College will receive $3.09
million, Portland State University will
receive $12.2 million and the rest of the $176 million
stimulus bill will fund projects to grow jobs outside of
the Portland area.
And just today, I was proud to help pass HB 2436 that will
generate over $15 million for affordable housing
through an increase from $11 to $26 in the county
document recording fee.
Racial Impact Statement Bill Heard in Rules Committee
Oregon could be fifth state to gauge laws impact on minority make up in criminal justice
I am proud to report that I have joined Salem attorney
Jess Barton and
Sentencing
Project Executive Director Marc Mauer in
introducing HB 2352, which will require racial and
ethnic impact statements be provided before the
legislature or voters vote on sentencing laws.
Four other states have similar measures. You can
read more about the effort nationwide by clicking here. A special thanks to Everette Rice of
the Commission on Black Affairs for
testifying in support of the bill.
I am pleased to once again be playing a
key role in setting the state's agenda on public safety.
I am once again leading the Public Safety
Subcommittee of Ways & Means as co-chair, and am
sitting on the Judiciary Committee for the first
time.
I promise to continue my work in broadening the
debate
around public safety, because I believe that true
public safety is about more than just building more
and more prisons. It's also about funding drug
treatment, K-12, Head Start, state troopers and legal
services.
The National Guard, Department of Justice,
Department of Corrections, the Oregon Youth
Authority, Oregon State Police, Public Defense
Services and the Judicial Department are among the
agencies I will help oversee along with my Co-Chair
from the Senate, Joanne Verger.
It's Long Past Time to Bring Our Troops Home
I believe the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are the
important issues of our time.
That's why I am the chief
co-sponsor on HB 2556, which tees-up a
legal strategy to help clarify the circumstances by
which the Governor may be able to withold the
National Guard from federalization.
It's part of a national strategy to keep the pressure on
President Obama and Congress to stay true to their
word regarding redeployment of our troops.
Rep. Shields' Staff to Hold Office Hours at Reflections Coffee
Will be available 7:00 - 11:00 am Wednesdays to hear your concerns
If you'd like to bend my ear, but can't make it to
Salem, you're invited to tell your concerns to my staff,
who will be holding office hours at Reflections Coffee,
446 NE Killingsworth, each Wednesday during
session from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Call 503-986-1443 in Salem to reserve an
appointment or just stop by on a first-come first-
served basis. Look for the Shields yard sign!
Legislative Town Hall Saturday March 14
On March 14, Representative Tina Kotek and I will be
hosting a town hall to discuss legislative happenings
with the people of North and Northeast Portland. Here
are the details:
- Date: March 14th
- Time: 10:00 to 12:00
- Location: PCC Cascade Campus - Terrell Hall,
Room 112
Hope to see you there! Stay in touch!
|
